Colorado Recovers

As disaster efforts transition from search and rescue to recovery, the Food Bank for Larimer County is also moving from emergency food assistance to providing a sustainable source of food for residents impacted by the devastating floods that hit Northern Colorado last week.

As recovery efforts move into the next phase, the Food Bank is working with Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) officials to supply food on an ongoing basis.

On Friday, September 20, the Food Bank will deliver pallets of non-perishable food to the Crossroads Ministry food pantry in Estes Park. Executive Director, Amy Pezzani also will meet with Estes Park officials to determine the long-term food assistance needs of the community.

"We know that thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged, displacing residents for indefinite time periods and that hundreds of businesses and farms have been damaged or destroyed resulting in the loss of countless jobs and income," stated Amy Pezzani, executive director, Food Bank for Larimer County. "We are committed to helping Larimer County residents through the recovery process by providing a sustainable source of food."

Over the long-term, those impacted and displaced by the floods will be able to visit the Food Bank’s food pantries in Fort Collins, 1301 Blue Spruce, and Loveland, 2600 N. Lincoln, to receive food, including fresh produce, meats, dairy and bread. For more information, residents can call 970.493.4477 or visit www.foodbanklarimer.org.

The Food Bank Needs Your Help

In addition to serving thousands of low income residents every month, the Food Bank is preparing to provide food to disaster victims for the foreseeable future.

To provide food for all in need, the Food Bank needs community support. This disaster hit at harvest time and at a time of year when nonperishable food inventories are low.

Weld County is the 9th largest agricultural county in the United States and a major source of produce for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Donations will help the Food Bank restock and prepare to meet the increased needs over the next several months. In addition, funds will be used to source produce to replace anticipated shortages from local farms.

In the rare event that donations exceed expenses for the recovery effort, contributions will be used where the need is most pressing. To donate, visit www.foodbanklarimer.org or text FLOOD to 501501 to donate $10.